Greeting the "Year of the Dog" with Great Wine

Chinese the world over celebrated the Lunar New Year and saw in the "Year of the Dog" last week. The obligatory New Years' Eve reunion dinners, visiting of relatives, overnight Mahjong sessions and giving of "hong bao" (red packets) are all part and parcel of these festivities. Of course the obligatory drinking of fine wine was not to be forgotten, and some of the juice was quite memorable......

> Ramey Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2002 - Flavors of pomelo, pineapple and grapefruit. Fantastic mouthfeel with a lovely creamy texture on the palate. The balance was just about perfect. Drinking very nicely now. Time to drink up perhaps?

> Ridge Monte Bello 1992 - Still looking youthful, the 1992 was just singing on this night. The "out of this world" palate of black fruits, cigar box, dark chocolate and minerals, was magical. Kept coming back for more the entire night. Signs and symptoms of a great wine.

> Domaine Tempier Bandol Miguoa 2001 - This is one of three single vineyard cuvees produced by one of the oldest and most respected estates in Bandol. This bottling is usually 50-60% Mourvedre depending on the vintage, the rest being made up of Cinsault and Grenache. Distinctive nose of dried prunes, figs, and a touch of bird droppings. Intense black fruits, animal fur, gamey flavors accompanied by the smell of freshly laid tar. A fascinating drink. My thanks to Chee Wee for sharing the experience.

> Domaine Comte De Vogue, Chambolle Musigny les Amoureuses 1998 - This bottle had been opened some 3 hours by the time i arrived at the tasting, so my impressions should be taken with a pinch of salt. I guess I was expecting quite a bit from this bottle, yet what crossed the palate was fairly simple red fruits, texturally - velveteen, yet failing to plumb the depths of complexity. For me, a little disappointing. To be fair, many of the guys liked it a lot when first opened, so maybe it was my loss for not having been there earlier. Cest la vie.